Stephen Kearney on the Ball - Photo by Louis McNally

Ronan Sexton helps Down to victory - Photo by Louis McNally

Down beat Cavan 0-15 to 0-11 in their Ulster SFC preliminary round replay to book a quarter-final against Monaghan.

Down took an early three-point lead but Cavan fought back and the teams went in level at the interval, 0-5 apiece.

The teams traded points in the second half and Michael Lyng was sent-off for a second yellow but at 0-10 each, Down surged away with five points in a row.

Down's Benny Coulter came closest to scoring a goal in the second half when he was denied by keeper James Reilly.

The Mourne County made two late changes to their line-up with Paul Murphy replacing Jackie Lynch at midfield while Martin Cole came in for John Clarke in the half-back line.

James McGovern gave the Breffnimen an early boost by knocking over two points and Ronan Murtagh followed that up to put his side in the driving seat.

McCabe was on target with two frees and Larry Reilly and Seanie Johnston got on the scoresheet to give Cavan a one-point lead.

Paul Murphy and Daniel Hughes restored Down's advantage but McCabe recorded his third point to level the scores at the interval.

Both sides came out looking more determined after the break and Dan Gordon was quick to extend his team's advantage.

Johnston scored his second of the game but Aidan Carr knocked the ball over and Cavan were reduced to 14 men soon after, with comeback man Lyng being dismissed.

Substitute Stephen Kearney slotted the ball over with his fist, Sean Brady reduced the deficit and then McCabe and Kearney traded points.

Mourne captain Declan Rooney registered a score but McCabe and Anthony Forde replied to bring the sides level at 0-10 to 0-10.

Paul McComiskey notched a point soon after replacing Carr, Hughes got his second of the game and further points from spare man Kevin McGuigan, Hughes and McComiskey gave the home side an unassailable lead.

Gerald Pierson's late point was a mere consolation.

The game at the redeveloped Pairc Esler was watched by a crowd of over 15,000.

Cavan: J Reilly; M Hannon, E Reilly, M Cahill; J Crowe, A Forde, R Flanagan; D McCabe, C Galligan; L Reilly, M Lyng, S Brady; G Pierson, M McKeever, J O'Reilly.